Smash Mouth

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Smash Mouth takes a knowledge of punk-rock dynamics to concoct still peppy, less angry music. Elements of surf and ska skate in and out, with amiably forceful vocals from Steve Har-well. A Neil Diamond song, “You Are My Number One,” is given the UB40 treatment to assure yet another hit. The way Smash Mouth amps and speeds up during the chorus kicks ass reliably on “Whole Lotta Love” and “105.” Any calculation is invisible. It’s so sublime and sweaty, you’ll quake with California cool.